The Revealing, Secret Diaries of a Not-So-Secret Foodie

Posts Tagged ‘Essay’

, , , , , , , , ,

Tomatoes

In Faith, Family, Food, Garden, Photography, Writing on January 6, 2016 at 5:15 pm

Garden Harvest of San Marzanos

Spring’s ground holds such promise.  Black earth rested.  Ready for new life. Working the soil, strong hands turn heavy dirt. Broken free from winter’s hold, it tumbles loose through pitchfork tines.  Falling first, but landing soft and crumbling fine.  Good earth; the sower’s open canvas. Painted in strokes of hope, patience and endurance. Loved into yields of multiplying abundance.

tomatoe closeup
I’ve always been an organized gardening type. Drawn to admire the formal gardens of centuries old.  Clipped and hedged to absolute perfection.  Box woods in neat rows outlining secret mazes.   Or a prized, but hidden rose garden. Perhaps those imagined or more likely inspired into my consciousness.  Sprung to life off the worn pages of a beloved English novel or two. Read More

, , , , , , , ,

Believe

In Faith, Family, Food, Photography, Writing on December 29, 2013 at 7:20 pm

Some of My Favorite Things.

*          *          *          *         *

1.  Bright Red Wreath on White Front Door.  

This summer my husband spent many a day refurbishing things around our home.   Read the rest of this entry »

, , , , , , ,

Baby Bella

In Family, Food, Photography, Writing on October 4, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Hungarian Mushroom Soup Garnished with Sour Cream and Sprig of Dill.

Hungarian Mushroom Soup Garnished with Sour Cream and Sprig of Dill.

My family begins to gather around the table for dinner. The way we do most nights. One by one, each boy wanders into the kitchen. Waiting on his brothers, both younger and older, my middle son softly taps out a tune against the worn farmhouse table. The tines of his fork leave behind an interesting pattern of divots in the soft wood.

Early in my mothering, the patina of raising young boys was under appreciated. Not always welcomed on furniture or otherwise. Somehow back then, the shiny and unblemished gleam of the new and unchanged appealed to me. But children bring perspective. They also bring laughter and so many Legos. And then there are the lines. The worry ones worn on my brow and on some days, the dry-erase but permanent ones discovered on freshly hung Thibaut wallpaper. Sweat and tears; they bring it all.

-Read More->

, , , , , ,

Béchamel

In Family, Food, Photography, Writing on September 17, 2013 at 8:25 am

My Dad introduced me to my first Béchamel.  Growing up it was his signature lunch special, one that he’d prepare for us on weekends. His technique was not precise and often prepared in too small a saucepan. But, it always worked and made our house smell warm with garlic.  More times than not and when I wasn’t looking, he’d toss in some minced clams.  It wasn’t until many, many meals later that I learned those little lumps in his white sauce weren’t a technical error; rather, a culinary decision.  The man liked his linguine and white sauce WITH clams.

-Read More>

My Dad introduced me to my first Béchamel.  Growing up it was his signature lunch special, one that he’d prepare for us on weekends. His technique was not precise and often prepared in too small a saucepan. But, it always worked and made our house smell warm with garlic.  More times than not and when I wasn’t looking, he’d toss in some minced clams.  It wasn’t until many, many meals later that I learned those little lumps in his white sauce weren’t a technical error; rather, a culinary decision.  The man liked his linguine and white sauce WITH clams.

-Read More>

My Dad introduced me to my first Béchamel.  Growing up it was his signature lunch special, one that he’d prepare for us on weekends. His technique was not precise and often prepared in too small a saucepan. But, it always worked and made our house smell warm with garlic.  More times than not and when I wasn’t looking, he’d toss in some minced clams.  It wasn’t until many, many meals later that I learned those little lumps in his white sauce weren’t a technical error; rather, a culinary decision.  The man liked his linguine and white sauce WITH clams.

-Read More>

, , ,

Morning Snowfall

In Faith, Family, Writing on January 25, 2013 at 2:55 pm

King of the Hill.
Pajama Hike.
Donuts in the Woods.

Sometimes it is in the waiting, that the ordinary and expected are graciously transformed into the memorable and treasured.

In this part of the country we have been without snow. Sure we’ve been teased with the whimsical dance of snowflakes that hover. Witnessed skies that howl with the promise of winter’s fury. But still, we find ourselves waiting. Waiting for winter’s first appreciable snowfall.

No snowmen have been built. No snowforts have been defended. No snowballs thrown. Somehow I find myself wanting snow. Lots of snow.

I know. Crazy talk. And from a midwest gal–a Chicagoan. Dreams of tropical umbrella drinks, crashing waves and white sand beaches should be dancing in my head this late in the winter. Yet, I wish for snow. Just one large snow storm.

Then this morning it begins. Snow falls. Gently. Modestly. Quietly collecting on rooftops, branches and walkways. It comes and it goes. Without pomp and without circumstance, the wait is over.

My boys scramble to find their boots and winter gear wanting to clear the scant covering of white from the drive before they head off to school. And I am beautifully reminded that the season of wait sometimes is a gift by design.

© suebthefoodie.com, 2011-2013.

Photos by suebthefoodie.

, , , ,

Apples

In Faith, Family, Food on November 19, 2012 at 2:34 pm

Rustic Salad of MacIntosh Apples, Cashews, Shredded Swiss Cheese tossed in Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing.

Apple. A word my children most frequently associate with that logo on the back of their favorite electronic devices. I also adore my iPhone, iPad and iTunes. If being completely honest, maybe a little too much. Being plugged in; it’s a national past time. -Read more>

, , , ,

Basil

In Food, food photography, Garden, Photos, Recipe, Writing on August 31, 2012 at 5:15 pm

Mini Thai Basil Turkey Lettuce Cups with Garnishes of Jasmine Rice, Poblano Pepper, Oyster Sauce & Chiffanade of Basil.

Mini Thai Basil Turkey Lettuce Cups with Garnishes of Jasmine Rice, Poblano Pepper, Oyster Sauce & Chiffonade of Basil.

Fifty-one cents. A small price to pay for an unexpected culinary challenge. Always the frugal gourmet, this foodie could not leave that lonely bottle of oyster sauce behind. Its red label marked clearance grabbed my attention. Reduced:51 cents. Never one to pass up a good deal, into the cart it went. Right next to the Cheerios, juice boxes and cage-free eggs.

-Read More>